Arm rest and table desk provided with such an arm rest

ABSTRACT

Forearm support comprising at least: two plates connected there between by a pivoting axis, and at least a jack adapted to allow a pivotment of the plates therebetween, whereby said jack exerts a force on the plates in the resting position, as well as in the folded position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support for the arm or the wrist foran user of a working zone, such as a table or table desk, provided withat least a computer element selected from a keyboard and a mouse.

THE PRIOR ART

Arm rests have already been proposed.

WO 99/49756 discloses a flexible supporting arrangement for the forearmor wrist of a human operating a computer mouse. Said arrangementcomprises two plates distant from each other forming a gap which isadapted to receive a portion of a computer table so as to mount saidarrangement. Although said support is flexible, it is necessary toremove it from the table so as to avoid that the arrangement forms anextension or protrusion of the edge of the table. Furthermore, even ifsaid support is flexible, said flexibility has to be reduced, so as tobe able to provide a sufficient support. Such an extension of the tablemade by the arrangement forms a lever arm, which when a too high forceis applied may provoke the turning or falling of the table.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,663 discloses a table support for the hand or arm ofthe user. Said support is fixed by a clamping device comprising a screwrod, the end of which is pressed against the lower face of the officedesk.

US2002/0017594 discloses a lower arm rest adapted to be mounted onsupport surface. The lower arm rest is attached to the support by meansof clamping device similar to the clamping device of U.S. Pat. No.5,927,663. The lower arm rest comprises two portions connected therebetween by a pivoting axis. In its resting position, a portion of thearm rest abuts a plate of the clamping device. Such an abutment is notsufficient for ensuring a good support to the lower arm of forearm. Thefolding of the lower arm is made upwardly, whereby it is necessary tomove the mouse away and whereby the forearm rest can not be providedwith a foaming layer.

All said devices do not comprise a spring or a jack maintaining inposition the forearm rest.

So as to limit as possible the space required for the support, theinvention proposes to use a support comprising a pivoting portion,whereby it is no more necessary to take away the support from the tablewhen the table is no more used. The pivoting portion is pivoteddownwardly whereby there is no risk to abut on the mouse or other paperpresent on the table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a support for at least the forearm or the wristfor an user of a working zone provided with at least a computer elementselected from a keyboard and a mouse, said support comprising at least:

-   -   a first portion provided with means for attaching said first        portion of the support to a working zone, such as a table,        computer table, etc.,    -   a second portion adapted to act as support for at least a part        of the forearm or wrist or lower arm or hand of the user,    -   a pivoting means for pivoting the second portion with respect to        the first portion along a substantially horizontal axis when the        first portion is attached to the working zone, whereby the        second portion is pivotable between a resting position for a        part of the forearm and a folded position in which the second        portion is pivoted of an angle of at least 90° along the        horizontal axis with respect to its resting position, and    -   at least one maintaining means selected from the group        consisting of springs and jacks, said means extending between        the first and second portion, whereby said means is adapted to        allow a pivotment of the second portion with respect to the        first portion along said substantially horizontal axis and        exerts a force on the second portion so as to maintain the        second portion in its resting position when the forearm of an        user rests on said second portion, as well as in its folded        position.

Advantageously, the second portion is pivotable between a restingposition for a part of the forearm and a folded position in which thesecond portion is pivoted of an angle of at least 120°, preferably about180°, along the horizontal axis with respect to its resting position.

According to an embodiment, the first portion is provided with means forattaching on a removable manner said first portion of the support to aworking zone.

Preferably, the means for attaching the first portion to a working zonecomprises at least one clipping means. For example, the means forattaching the first portion on a working zone comprises a curved springleaf.

According to a detail of an advantageous embodiment, the first portionis provided with a means adapted to act on a back face of the workingzone so as to avoid any balancing of the first portion on said workingzone when the forearm of a user rests on the second portion.

According to a preferred embodiment, the maintaining means is adaptedfor maintaining the second portion in its resting position as long as aneffort lower than a predetermined effort is exerted, while enabling apivotment of the second portion towards its folded position when aneffort greater than said predetermined effort is exerted.Advantageously, the predetermined effort corresponds to a weight of atleast 2 kg (preferably from 3 to 15 kg, more specifically from 5 to 15kg) placed on the second portion at a distance of 10 cm from a verticalplane comprising the substantially horizontal axis.

According to a specific embodiment, the jack comprises a chamber inwhich a piston is movable, whereby said chamber is filled with asubstantially fluid medium, whereby the piston divides the chamber intwo sub chambers, and whereby the piston is provided with at least oneopening so as to enable the passage of substantially fluid medium fromone sub chamber to another sub chamber.

In embodiment for example made in plastic or aluminum, the first portionand the second portion are advantageously provided with rigidifyingmeans, so as to limit the deformation of one portion during a pivotmentmovement.

According to a specific embodiment, the first portion has asubstantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to rest on a upperface of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted for extendingbelow the working zone.

Advantageously, the lower plate is provided with a lower leg and inwhich the second portion has a first edge adapted to be in closeproximity with an edge of the first portion when the first portion is inits resting position and a second edge opposite to said first edge,whereby the jack is provided with at least one rod, whereby the jack andits rod extend between the leg and the second edge of the secondportion.

Preferably, the rod of the jack extend in a direction forming an anglecomprised between 45° and 85° when the second portion is in its restingposition.

According to a detail of another embodiment, the first portion has asubstantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to rest on a upperface of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted for extendingbelow the working zone, whereby the upper plate is provided with an antislipping means.

Advantageously, the anti slipping means is an anti slipping layer. Sucha layer is for example realized at least partly in rubber. The antislipping layer is advantageously a layer provided with a series ofprojections.

According to a detail of another embodiment, in which the first portionhas a substantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to rest on aupper face of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted forextending below the working zone, when the support is not mounted on theworking zone, the lower plate forms with the upper plate a gap with anopening and a bottom. Said bottom has a width defined between the lowerplate and the upper plate, whereby the lower plate has a face directedtowards a face of the upper plate and inclined with respect to the faceof the upper plate. The opening of the gap has a width defined betweenthe lower plate and the upper plate lower than the width of the bottomof the gap.

According to an embodiment, the second portion is provided with a foamlayer. Such a foam layer is advantageous for the comfort, but also forthe safety when the support is in folded position. Indeed, in such aposition, the second portion is placed downwardly (advantageously underthe table or desk), whereby the foam layer forms a protection for theleg of the user.

Preferably, the foam layer is at least a viscoelastic foam layer, such alayer having advantageously a thickness comprised between 1 and 5 cm,most preferably between 1.5 cm and 3 cm.

According to a detail of an embodiment, the first portion is providedwith a mouse pad layer.

According to a detail of preferred embodiment, the first portion has anupper face and, the substantially horizontal axis being distant fromsaid upper face from a distance comprised between 2 cm and 7 cm.

The invention relates also to a table desk for at least a computerelement selected from a keyboard and a mouse, said table desk beingprovided with a support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of saidcomputer element, said support being as disclosed here above.

The invention further relates to a table desk for at least a computerelement selected from a keyboard and a mouse, said table desk beingprovided with a support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of saidcomputer element, said support comprising at least:

-   -   an forearm rest adapted to act as support for at least a part of        the forearm of the user,    -   a pivoting means for pivoting said forearm rest with respect to        the table desk along a substantially horizontal axis when the        first portion is attached to the working zone, whereby the        second portion is pivotable between a resting position for a        part of the forearm and a folded position in which the second        portion is pivoted of an angle of at least 90° along the        horizontal axis with respect to its resting position, and    -   at least one maintaining means selected from the group        consisting of springs and jacks, said means extending between        the table desk and the forearm rest, whereby said means is        adapted to allow a pivotment of the forearm rest with respect to        the table desk along said substantially horizontal axis and        exerts a force on the forearm rest so as to maintain the forearm        rest in its resting position when the forearm of an user rests        on said forearm rest, as well as in its folded position.

Preferably, the forearm rest is pivotable between a resting position fora part of the forearm and a folded position in which the forearm rest ispivoted of an angle of at least 120°, preferably about 180°, along thehorizontal axis with respect to its resting position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the maintaining means isadapted for maintaining the forearm rest in its resting position as longas an effort lower than a predetermined effort is exerted, whileenabling a pivotment of the forearm rest towards its folded positionwhen an effort greater than said predetermined effort is exerted.Preferably, the predetermined effort corresponds to a weight of at least2 kg (most preferably from 3 to 15 kg, especially from 5 to 15 kg)placed on the forearm rest at a distance of 10 cm from a vertical planecomprising the substantially horizontal axis.

Such a minimum force is also a safety for preventing children to be ableto fold the forearm rest, whereby preventing the pinching of theirfingers.

According to a detail of a further embodiment of the table desk, thejack comprises a chamber in which a piston is movable, whereby saidchamber is filled with a substantially fluid medium, whereby the pistondivides the chamber in two sub chambers, and whereby the piston isprovided with at least one opening so as to enable the passage ofsubstantially fluid medium from one sub chamber to another sub chamber.

Advantageously, the forearm rest is provided with rigidifying means, soas to prevent deformations and possible breaking.

According to a specific embodiment, the table desk is provided with alower leg and in which the forearm rest has a first edge adapted to bein close proximity with an edge of the table desk when the first portionis in its resting position and a second edge opposite to said firstedge, whereby the jack is provided with at least one rod, and wherebythe jack and its rod extend between the leg and the second edge of theforearm rest.

Advantageously, the rod of the jack extend in a direction forming anangle comprised between 45° and 85° when the forearm rest is in itsresting position.

Advantageously, the forearm rest of the table desk is provided with afoam layer. Such a layer is preferably a viscoelastic foam layer, suchas a layer having a thickness comprised between 1 cm and 5 cm.

The table desk can be further be provided with a mouse pad layer.

According to an advantageous detail of the table desk, the table deskhas an upper face, the substantially horizontal axis being below saidupper face from a distance comprised between 2 cm and 7 cm.

Details and characteristics of preferred embodiments will appear fromthe following description in which reference is made to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of the various elementsconsisting of a first preferred embodiment, in which the forearm rest ispivotable on 180°,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are upper view and downward view of the forearm rest ofFIG. 1, in its resting position,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are upper view and downward view of the forearm rest ofFIG. 1, in its folded position,

FIG. 6 is a side view of the forearm rest mounted on a table, in itsresting position,

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the forearm mounted on a table, in itsresting position,

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the forearm in its resting position,before its mounting on a table,

FIG. 9 is a side view of the forearm rest mounted on a table, in itsfolding position,

FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the forearm mounted on a table, inits folding position,

FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the forearm in its resting position,before its folding on a table,

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic views of another embodiment respectivelyin the resting position and in the folded position,

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a table provided with a forearm restin its resting position

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the table of FIG. 13 in the foldedposition of the forearm rest, and

FIG. 15 is a cross section view of the jack used in the firstembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a support for at least the forearm orthe wrist for an user of a working zone provided with at least acomputer element selected from a keyboard and a mouse, said supportcomprising:

-   -   a first portion or plate 2 provided with means 3 for attaching        said first portion 2 of the support to a working zone, such as a        table 22, computer table, etc, said plate 2 being provided with        a mouse pad 30 on its upper face and with an anti-slip layer 31        (such as a rubber layer with a series of small projections 32)        on its lower face adapted to contact the upper face of the table        22,    -   a second portion or elongated plate 1 adapted to act as support        for at least a part of the forearm or wrist or lower arm or hand        of the user, said plate being provided on its upper face with a        foam element 33, said foam layer being advantageously a        viscoelastic foam layer adapted to take the form of the forearm        resting on said foam layer 33, said foam layer having a        thickness of 2 to 3 cm,    -   a pivoting axis 4 for pivoting the second portion 1 with respect        to the first portion 2, said axis 4 being substantially        horizontal when the first portion 2 is attached to the working        zone 22, whereby the second portion 1 is pivotable between a        resting position (see FIGS. 2 and 6) for at least a part of the        forearm and a folded position (see FIGS. 4 and 9) in which the        second portion 1 is pivoted of an angle of about 180° along the        horizontal axis Y-Y with respect to its resting position, the        second portion 1 being placed under the table 22 in its folded        position, and    -   at least one jack 6 extending between the first and second        portions 1,2, whereby said jack 6 is adapted to allow a        pivotment of the second portion 1 with respect to the first        portion 2 along said substantially horizontal axis Y-Y and        exerts a force on the second portion 1 so as to maintain the        second portion 1 in its resting position (FIG. 6) when the        forearm of an user rests on said second portion 1 (the jack        exerting a force opposite to the pivotment of the second portion        1 towards the folded position or a resistance to said        pivotment), as well as in its folded position (the jack exerting        a force opposite to the pivotment of the second portion 1 from        the folded position towards the resting position or a resistance        to said pivotment).

The upper face 33A of the foam layer 3 extends advantageously at a levelhigher than the plane of the plate 2. Advantageously the distanceseparating the level of the foam compressed by the forearm and the levelof the plate is comprised between 1 and 3 cm, advantageously between 1and 2 cm.

The plate 2 is provided on its lower face with a L-shaped element 3.Said element 3 and the plate 2 form a single piece. The element 3 has avertical portion 3A and a lower plate 3B. The lower plate 3B bears acurved spring leaf 3C, whereby enabling to attach on a removable mannersaid first portion 2 on the table 22. When the first portion 2 is pushedso that an edge of the table 22 is inserted in the gap G formed betweenthe plate 2 and the lower plate 3B, the spring leaf 3C is flattenedtowards the lower plate 3B, the free end 3D of the spring leaf 3Cgliding on the lower plate 3B towards the vertical portion 3A during theflattening of the spring leaf 3C.

The spring leaf or thin sheet 3C is made in a material suitable forgliding on a face of the table 22 without abrading it or withoutformation of marks or lines.

In order to prevent any balancing of the first portion 2 with respect tothe table, the first portion 2 is provided with an abutment in the formof a screw or better in the form of an element cooperating with thespring leaf 3C so as to make a resistance against the gliding of thefree end 3D of the spring leaf on the lower plate 3B (see element 34A)or an element (34B) intended to be placed between the spring leaf 3C andthe lower plate 3B so as to resist to a flattening of the spring leaf3C. Said elements 34A and 34B have the form of a wedge or a V-shapedpiece.

In FIGS. 6 and 9 the use of a wedge 34B is made, said wedge preventingafter mounting the first portion 2, a possible flattening of the springleaf, whereby preventing any possible balancing or pivotment of thefirst portion 2 with respect to the table 22.

The jack 6 is adapted for maintaining the second portion 1 in itsresting position as long as an effort lower than a predetermined effortis exerted, while enabling a pivotment of the second portion towards itsfolded position when an effort greater than said predetermined effort isexerted. Advantageously, the predetermined effort corresponds to aweight of 3 to 7 kg placed on the second portion 1 at a point P distant(D) of 10 cm from a vertical plane V comprising the substantiallyhorizontal axis Y-Y.

The jack 6 (see FIG. 15) comprises a chamber 60 in which a piston 61 ismovable, whereby said chamber 60 is filled with a substantially fluidmedium (viscous medium, such as viscous oil, grease, etc), whereby thepiston 61 divides the chamber 60 in two sub chambers 60A, 60B. Thepiston 61 is provided with opening 62 so as to enable the passage of theviscous medium from one sub chamber 60A to another sub chamber 60B, orinversely. The passage are calibrated so as limit the flow of viscousmedium from one chamber towards the other chamber. When the piston 61 isnear an end of the chamber 60, it abuts against a compressible foam 63,whereby for displacing the piston from one end towards the other end, itis necessary to exert a force sufficient for creating first a sufficientvacuum so as to form a sub chamber between the foam and the piston. Theviscous medium is advantageously maintained under pressure in thechamber.

The jack 6 has an end pivotally mounted on an axis 7 born by two legs 37fixed to the lower plate 3B of the first portion 2. The rod 66 of thejack 6 has an end pivotally attached to an axis 8 born by the secondportion 1. Said axis 8 is adjacent to the end of the first portion 2 themost distant from the second portion 1 when the first portion 2 is inresting position.

In its resting position, the rod 66 of the jack 6 (see FIG. 6) extendsin a direction forming an angle a comprised between 65° and 85°, such asabout 70°-75°, with respect to the vertical plane V. In its foldedposition (see FIG. 11), the rod 66 of the jack 6 (see FIG. 6) extends ina direction forming an angle β comprised between 80° and 110°, such asabout 85°-95°, with respect to the vertical plane V.

The first portion 2 and the second portion 1 are provided withrigidifying fins 9, 10, 36 so as to limit or to prevent the deformationof one portion during a pivoting movement.

The first plate 2 with the lower plate 3B and the vertical portion 3Aform a substantially U-shaped gap G with an opening GO and a bottom GB.Said bottom GB has a width W1 defined between the lower plate 3B and theplate 2. The lower plate 3B has a face directed towards a face of theplate 2 and inclined with respect to said face of the plate 2. Theopening GO of the gap has a width W2 defined between the lower plate 3Band the plate 2 lower than the width W1 of the bottom of the gap. Anangle γ comprised between 5° and 20° (advantageously 7° to 15°) isformed between the plate 2 and the lower plate 3B.

The axis of rotation Y-Y is located below the plate 2, the distance D2separating the axis Y-Y from said plate being comprised between 2 cm and7 cm, advantageously about 5 cm.

FIGS. 12A and 12B relate to an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1,except that a spring system 41 is used. The spring is place in the jackso as to push the plate 1 in its resting position. So as to maintain thespring in its compressed state (in the folded position) a clickmechanism 40 is used so as to stop the movement of the piston 61. Saidclick mechanism can be released by pressing a finger thereon so as toliberate the movement of the piston due to the action of the spring.

FIGS. 13 and 14 shows a table desk 22 for at least a computer elementselected from a keyboard and a mouse, said table desk being providedwith a support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of said computerelement, said support comprising at least:

-   -   an forearm rest 1 adapted to act as support for at least a part        of the forearm of the user,    -   a pivoting means for pivoting said forearm rest with respect to        the table desk along a substantially horizontal axis when the        first portion is attached to the working zone, whereby the        second portion is pivotable between a resting position for a        part of the forearm and a folded position in which the second        portion is pivoted of an angle of at least 90° along the        horizontal axis with respect to its resting position, and    -   at least one maintaining means selected from the group        consisting of springs and jacks, said means extending between        the table desk and the forearm rest, whereby said means is        adapted to allow a pivotment of the forearm rest with respect to        the table desk along said substantially horizontal axis and        exerts a force on the forearm rest so as to maintain the forearm        rest in its resting position when the forearm of an user rests        on said forearm rest, as well as in its folded position.

The forearm rest 1 of said table desk is moved by a jack similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1. The difference between the embodiment of FIG. 1and the table desk of FIG. 13 is that in the embodiment of FIG. 13 thetable desk replaces the first portion 2 of the system of FIG. 1.

The same numerals are used in said FIGS. 13 and 14 for designatingsimilar elements as shown in FIG. 1.

1. Support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of a working zoneprovided with at least a computer element selected from a keyboard and amouse, said support comprising at least: a first portion provided withmeans for attaching said first portion of the support to a working zone,a second portion adapted to act as support for at least a part of theforearm of the user, a pivoting means for pivoting the second portionwith respect to the first portion along a substantially horizontal axiswhen the first portion is attached to the working zone, whereby thesecond portion is pivotable between a resting position for a part of theforearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivoted ofan angle of at least 90° along the horizontal axis with respect to itsresting position, and at least one maintaining means selected from thegroup consisting of springs and jacks, said means extending between thefirst and second portion, whereby said means is adapted to allow apivotment of the second portion with respect to the first portion alongsaid substantially horizontal axis and exerts a force on the secondportion so as to maintain the second portion in its resting positionwhen the forearm of an user rests on said second portion, as well as inits folded position.
 2. The support of claim 1, in which the secondportion is pivotable between a resting position for a part of theforearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivoted ofan angle of at least 120° along the horizontal axis with respect to itsresting position.
 3. The support of claim 1, in which the first portionis provided with means for attaching on a removable manner said firstportion of the support to a working zone.
 4. The support of claim 1, inwhich the means for attaching the first portion to a working zonecomprises at least one clipping means.
 5. The support of claim 1, inwhich the first portion is provided with a means adapted to act on aback face of the working zone so as to avoid any balancing of the firstportion on said working zone when the forearm of a user rests on thesecond portion.
 6. The support of claim 1, in which the means forattaching the first portion on a working zone comprises a curved springleaf.
 7. The support of claim 1, in which the maintaining means isadapted for maintaining the second portion in its resting position aslong as an effort lower than a predetermined effort is exerted, whileenabling a pivotment of the second portion towards its folded positionwhen an effort greater than said predetermined effort is exerted.
 8. Thesupport of claim 7, in which the predetermined effort corresponds to aweight of at least 2 kg placed on the second portion at a distance of 10cm from a vertical plane comprising the substantially horizontal axis.9. The support of claim 7, in which the predetermined effort correspondsto a weight of 5 to 15 kg placed on the second portion at a distance of10 cm from a vertical plane comprising the substantially horizontalaxis.
 10. The support of claim 1, in which the jack comprises a chamberin which a piston is movable, whereby said chamber is filled with asubstantially fluid medium, whereby the piston divides the chamber intwo sub chambers, and whereby the piston is provided with at least oneopening so as to enable the passage of substantially fluid medium fromone sub chamber to another sub chamber.
 11. The support of claim 1, inwhich the first portion and the second portion are provided withrigidifying means.
 12. The support of claim 1, in which the firstportion has a substantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to reston a upper face of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted forextending below the working zone.
 13. The support of claim 12, in whichthe lower plate is provided with a lower leg and in which the secondportion has a first edge adapted to be in close proximity with an edgeof the first portion when the first portion is in its resting positionand a second edge opposite to said first edge, whereby the jack isprovided with at least one rod, whereby the jack and its rod extendbetween the leg and the second edge of the second portion.
 14. Thesupport of claim 13, in which the rod of the jack extend in a directionforming an angle comprised between 45° and 85° when the second portionis in its resting position.
 15. The support of claim 1, in which thefirst portion has a substantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted torest on a upper face of the working zone, and with a lower plate adaptedfor extending below the working zone, whereby the upper plate isprovided with an anti slipping means.
 16. The support of claim 15, inwhich the anti-slipping means is an anti slipping layer.
 17. The supportof claim 1, in which the first portion has a substantially U-shape withan upper plate adapted to rest on a upper face of the working zone, andwith a lower plate adapted for extending below the working zone, wherebywhen the support is not mounted on the working zone, the lower plateforms with the upper plate a gap with an opening and a bottom, saidbottom having a width defined between the lower plate and the upperplate, whereby the lower plate has a face directed towards a face of theupper plate and inclined with respect to the face of the upper plate,whereby the opening of the gap has a width defined between the lowerplate and the upper plate lower than the width of the bottom of the gap.18. The support of claim 16, in which the anti slipping layer is a layerprovided with a series of projections.
 19. The support of claim 1, inwhich the second portion is provided with a foam layer.
 20. The supportof claim 19, in which the foam layer is at least a viscoelastic foamlayer.
 21. The support of claim 1, in which the first portion isprovided with a mouse pad layer.
 22. The support of claim 1, in whichthe first portion has an upper face and in which the substantiallyhorizontal axis is distant from said upper face from a distancecomprised between 2 cm and 7 cm.
 23. The support of claim 1, in whichthe second portion is pivotable between a resting position for a part ofthe forearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivotedof an angle of at least 120° along the horizontal axis with respect toits resting position.
 24. Table desk for at least a computer elementselected from a keyboard and a mouse, said table desk being providedwith a support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of said computerelement, said support comprising at least: a first portion provided withmeans for attaching said first portion of the support to a working zone,a second portion adapted to act as support for at least a part of theforearm of the user, a pivoting means for pivoting the second portionwith respect to the first portion along a substantially horizontal axiswhen the first portion is attached to the working zone, whereby thesecond portion is pivotable between a resting position for a part of theforearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivoted ofan angle of at least 90° along the horizontal axis with respect to itsresting position, and at least one maintaining means selected from thegroup consisting of springs and jacks, said means extending between thefirst and second portion, whereby said means is adapted to allow apivotment of the second portion with respect to the first portion alongsaid substantially horizontal axis and exerts a force on the secondportion so as to maintain the second portion in its resting positionwhen the forearm of an user rests on said second portion, as well as inits folded position.
 25. The table desk of claim 24, in which the secondportion is pivotable between a resting position for a part of theforearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivoted ofan angle of at least 120° along the horizontal axis with respect to itsresting position.
 26. The table desk of claim 24, in which the firstportion is provided with means for attaching on a removable manner saidfirst portion of the support to a working zone.
 27. The table desk ofclaim 24, in which the means for attaching the first portion to aworking zone comprises at least one clipping means.
 28. The table deskof claim 24, in which the first portion is provided with a means adaptedto act on a back face of the working zone so as to avoid any balancingof the first portion on said working zone when the forearm of a userrests on the second portion.
 29. The table desk of claim 24, in whichthe means for attaching the first portion on a working zone comprises acurved spring leaf.
 30. The table desk of claim 24, in which themaintaining means is adapted for maintaining the second portion in itsresting position as long as an effort lower than a predetermined effortis exerted, while enabling a pivotment of the second portion towards itsfolded position when an effort greater than said predetermined effort isexerted.
 31. The table desk of claim 30, in which the predeterminedeffort corresponds to a weight of at least 2 kg placed on the secondportion at a distance of 10 cm from a vertical plane comprising thesubstantially horizontal axis.
 32. The table desk of claim 29, in whichthe predetermined effort corresponds to a weight of 5 to 15 kg placed onthe second portion at a distance of 10 cm from a vertical planecomprising the substantially horizontal axis.
 33. The table desk ofclaim 24, in which the jack comprises a chamber in which a piston ismovable, whereby said chamber is filled with a substantially fluidmedium, whereby the piston divides the chamber in two sub chambers, andwhereby the piston is provided with at least one opening so as to enablethe passage of substantially fluid medium from one sub chamber toanother sub chamber.
 34. The table desk of claim 24, in which the firstportion and the second portion are provided with rigidifying means. 35.The table desk of claim 24, in which the first portion has asubstantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to rest on a upperface of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted for extendingbelow the working zone.
 36. The table desk of claim 35, in which thelower plate is provided with a lower leg and in which the second portionhas a first edge adapted to be in close proximity with an edge of thefirst portion when the first portion is in its resting position and asecond edge opposite to said first edge, whereby the jack is providedwith at least one rod, whereby the jack and its rod extend between theleg and the second edge of the second portion.
 37. The table desk ofclaim 36, in which the rod of the jack extend in a direction forming anangle comprised between 45° and 85° when the second portion is in itsresting position.
 38. The table desk of claim 24, in which the firstportion has a substantially U-shape with an upper plate adapted to reston a upper face of the working zone, and with a lower plate adapted forextending below the working zone, whereby the upper plate is providedwith an anti slipping means.
 39. The table desk of claim 38, in whichthe anti-slipping means is an anti slipping layer.
 40. The table desk ofclaim 24, in which the anti slipping layer is a layer provided with aseries of projections.
 41. The table desk of claim 24, in which thesecond portion is provided with a foam layer.
 42. The table desk ofclaim 40, in which the foam layer is at least a viscoelastic foam layer.42. The table desk of claim 24, in which the first portion is providedwith a mouse pad layer.
 43. The table desk of claim 24, in which thesecond portion is pivotable between a resting position for a part of theforearm and a folded position in which the second portion is pivoted ofan angle of about 180° along the horizontal axis with respect to itsresting position.
 44. A table desk for at least a computer elementselected from a keyboard and a mouse, said table desk being providedwith a support for the forearm or the wrist for an user of said computerelement, said support comprising at least: a forearm rest adapted to actas support for at least a part of the forearm of the user, a pivotingmeans for pivoting said forearm rest with respect to the table deskalong a substantially horizontal axis when the first portion is attachedto the working zone, whereby the second portion is pivotable between aresting position for a part of the forearm and a folded position inwhich the second portion is pivoted of an angle of at least 90° alongthe horizontal axis with respect to its resting position, and at leastone maintaining means selected from the group consisting of springs andjacks, said means extending between the table desk and the forearm rest,whereby said means is adapted to allow a pivotment of the forearm restwith respect to the table desk along said substantially horizontal axisand exerts a force on the forearm rest so as to maintain the forearmrest in its resting position when the forearm of an user rests on saidforearm rest, as well as in its folded position.
 45. The table desk ofclaim 44, in which the forearm rest is pivotable between a restingposition for a part of the forearm and a folded position in which theforearm rest is pivoted of an angle of at least 120° along thehorizontal axis with respect to its resting position.
 46. The table deskof claim 44, in which the maintaining means is adapted for maintainingthe forearm rest in its resting position as long as an effort lower thana predetermined effort is exerted, while enabling a pivotment of theforearm rest towards its folded position when an effort greater thansaid predetermined effort is exerted.
 47. The table desk of claim 46, inwhich the predetermined effort corresponds to a weight of at least 2 kgplaced on the forearm rest at a distance of 10 cm from a vertical planecomprising the substantially horizontal axis.
 48. The table desk ofclaim 47, in which the predetermined effort corresponds to a weight of 5to 15 kg placed on the forearm rest at a distance of 10 cm from avertical plane comprising the substantially horizontal axis.
 49. Thetable desk of claim 44, in which the jack comprises a chamber in which apiston is movable, whereby said chamber is filled with a substantiallyfluid medium, whereby the piston divides the chamber in two subchambers, and whereby the piston is provided with at least one openingso as to enable the passage of substantially fluid medium from one subchamber to another sub chamber.
 50. The table desk of claim 44, in whichthe forearm rest is provided with rigidifying means.
 51. The table deskof claim 44, in which the table desk is provided with a lower leg and inwhich the forearm rest has a first edge adapted to be in close proximitywith an edge of the table desk when the first portion is in its restingposition and a second edge opposite to said first edge, whereby the jackis provided with at least one rod, and whereby the jack and its rodextend between the leg and the second edge of the forearm rest.
 52. Thetable desk of claim 51, in which the rod of the jack extend in adirection forming an angle comprised between 45° and 85° when theforearm rest is in its resting position.
 53. The table desk of claim 44,in which the forearm rest is provided with a foam layer.
 54. The tabledesk of claim 53, in which the foam layer is at least a viscoelasticfoam layer.
 55. The table desk of claim 44, which is provided with amouse pad layer.
 56. The table desk of claim 44, in which the table deskhas an upper face and in which the substantially horizontal axis isbelow said upper face from a distance comprised between 2 cm and 7 cm.57. The table desk of claim 44, in which the forearm rest is pivotablebetween a resting position for a part of the forearm and a foldedposition in which the second portion is pivoted of an angle of about180° along the horizontal axis with respect to its resting position.